What You Need to Know About Rheumatoid Arthritis



Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and pain in the joints. It affects more than 1.3 million Americans and is the most common type of inflammatory arthritis. RA can cause joint damage, fatigue, and disability if left untreated.

RA is an autoimmune disease, meaning that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues. This leads to inflammation in the joints, which can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and deformity over time. RA typically affects multiple joints on both sides of the body at once, such as wrists or hands on both sides or knees on both sides. The condition can also affect other organs such as the eyes and lungs in some cases.

Symptoms of RA include joint pain and stiffness that usually worsens with movement; swelling around affected joints; fatigue; fever; weight loss; anemia; dry eyes or mouth; numbness or tingling in hands or feet; difficulty sleeping due to joint discomfort; and depression due to chronic pain and disability associated with RA.

Diagnosis of RA is made through a physical exam by a doctor who looks for signs of inflammation such as swelling around affected joints or tenderness when pressing on them. Blood tests are also used to measure levels of certain antibodies associated with RA as well as look for markers of inflammation like erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). X-rays may also be used to detect any bone damage caused by RA over time.

Treatment for RA typically involves medications known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which help slow down progression of the disease by reducing inflammation in the joints and preventing further damage from occurring over time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may also be prescribed for short-term relief from symptoms like pain and swelling while corticosteroids can be used for more severe cases where DMARDs are not effective enough alone to control symptoms adequately enough . Other treatments such as physical therapy may be recommended to help improve flexibility, strength, balance, coordination ,and overall mobility when dealing with joint problems related to rheumatoid arthritis over time .

Managing rheumatoid arthritis requires a combination approach involving lifestyle changes , medications ,and other therapies depending on severity . Eating healthy foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids , exercising regularly , getting adequate restful sleep , managing stress levels effectively , avoiding smoking or excessive alcohol consumption all play important roles in helping manage symptoms better . Regular checkups with your doctor are important too so they can monitor your condition closely and adjust treatment accordingly if needed .

By understanding what rheumatoid arthritis is along with its causes ,symptoms ,diagnosis methods available today along with different treatments available it becomes easier for those suffering from this condition find ways best suited for them individually so they can manage their condition better while still living life fully despite having this chronic disorder .

Tags:

Rheumatoid Arthritis, autoimmune disorder, inflammation, joints, pain, fatigue, disability, immune system, swelling, joint damage, fever, weight loss, anemia, dry eyes/mouth, numbness/tingling hands/feet, difficulty sleeping, depression, physical exam, blood tests, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), X-rays, DMARDs (disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs) NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), corticosteroids, physical therapy lifestyle changes omega 3 fatty acids exercise restful sleep stress levels smoking alcohol consumption regular checkups,

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